Cape Mentelle Marmaduke Shiraz 2024, Margaret River, Australia

Cape Mentelle Marmaduke Shiraz comes from one of the original estates of Margaret River, on the coast of Western Australia. Made entirely from Shiraz grown in Margaret River, it belongs to the estate’s Marmaduke range, the approachable, fruit-generous side of the Cape Mentelle style. The winemaking team aims for a soft, spicy, fruit-forward red that shows both the character of the region and the intensity of the grape. The Marmaduke Shiraz has traditionally been fermented in stainless steel, basket pressed and matured in large oak vats, so the oak supports the fruit rather than dominating it.

In the glass it is a deep purple-red. The nose shows plum, blackberry and black cherry, with liquorice, violets, cedar and a peppery, savoury edge. The palate is juicy and generous, with dark cherry, plum and blueberry fruit, sweet spice and black pepper, carried by bright acidity and fine tannins to a fresh, peppery finish.

Serve at around 16–18°C. It is a natural partner for grilled lamb, pepper-crusted steak, barbecued meats, smoky mushroom pizza, roast vegetables and mature cheddar. Cape Mentelle Marmaduke Shiraz is delicious now for its juicy fruit and will keep well for several years.

Cape Mentelle was founded in 1970 by David Hohnen and his family, within sight of the Indian Ocean, and is one of the original estates of Margaret River in Western Australia. It quickly helped put the region on the map, winning Australia’s prestigious Jimmy Watson Trophy two years running, in 1983 and 1984, for its Cabernet Sauvignon. David Hohnen went on to found Cloudy Bay in New Zealand, and Cape Mentelle later became part of the LVMH group before joining Australia’s Endeavour Group in 2023. Today the winery continues to focus on site expression and responsible vineyard management in its coastal Margaret River vineyards, making structured, fresh and balanced wines. The Marmaduke range offers an approachable, fruit-generous taste of the Cape Mentelle style.